I shared a photograph of the Pont des Arts before the love locks became epidemic and the aftermath yesterday. Today, a look at the love locks salesmen set up their wares in broad open daylight. They don't like to have their photos taken so you see this one has walked away from the merchandise. They are kind enough to offer locks at many price points. I don't know how much they sell for, but I'm sure the largest ones ( that will take a city worker a good while to cut off the bridge) aren't for those who are marginally in love. What having a policeman posted there or between two bridges handing out fines would cost, could be offset by the fines if they were diligent. Now the city of Paris is looking at an enormous expense cutting them off and repairing the damaged bridges. A problem that should have been taken care of years ago.
11 comments:
Making money at any cost; I guess I cannot blame the salemen who are trying to make a buck...it's a hard call, but I think that the resulting damages should be a deterring factor. Fines could be an answer if the salespeople are aggressively charged.
I like your idea of posting a policeman there. I know these people are just trying to make some money, but I'm sure they could find another way if they were forced to stop selling the locks.
I would rather the city of Paris have a sculpture and a pool somewhere close where people could put their locks without damage to the bridges. People just need to be redirected - don't think they will stop. An open mesh with access to all areas of the sculpture could be rather attractive as people "decorate" it and throw the keys harmlessly in a created pool nearby without polluting the Seine.
Love sailsman... sound funny! isn't it?))
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That tends to be the other part we overlook- what kind of impact does the dropping of all those keys into the water have.
I've been saying all this for years (you too probably, V)—too bad la ville de Paris didn't listen to us!
Seems it might be cheaper just to detach the fencing panels and lower them into barges below, and replace them with new panels, then really double-down with serious enforcement and VERY ubiquitous public education efforts. The locked-up panels could be sent for recycling. No need to bust every single lock., just melt them down.
One panel already broke and fell, I think it missed a bateau mouche but this is just a tragedy waiting to happen.
Kate, I wish I shared the idea that these sellers couldn't make a living doing anything else. They are the same group that hounds tourists and pick pockets at Sacre Coeur and Eiffel Tower. They are always running from the police. They are illegal and a huge nuisance.
Terry, I agree about the panels that fell. Come back tomorrow to see the partial solution.
Sillygirl, a few years ago I'd agree the lovers need a place but now I think they need to just wake up and find some other way to share their love!
I wonder what it will take before some action is taken V.
Moscow has erected special riverside pillars and lets people put locks on them, and ONLY there, and the pillars have been made sturdy enough and out of the way enough that the rest of the place is not affected.
Better policing will help. My gut feeling is that tourists won't do something dicey if the police are around -- especially in a foreign country. I do like Jack's suggestion of targeted spots for locks. I don't know why that wouldn't work, once the habit is broken.
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